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Reputation:93
Level:All-Star
Since:Aug 21, 2006
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According to a Courier Post Article the Flyers are looking at acquiring Andrej Meszaros from Ottawa for either Scottie Upshall or RJ Umberger. Apparently Meszaros is looking for a 4 year deal at around 3.4 million a season while Umberger is looking for the same. Meszaros played in all 82 games and had 9 G and 27 A on the year and is 21 years old.
This move may be made along with the Flyers trade yesterday instead of signing a Brian Campbell or a Wade Redden. Meszaros would likely take Hatcher's payroll spot as Hatcher will retire or be placed on IR come next season. That still leaves the Flyers with about 3 million or so (Smiths departure and Kapenens retirement), plus the additional money as the cap increases to sign other players which includes Jeff Carter. It would seem to me that Jeff Carter's potentially big contract may prevent the Flyers from getting that big name d-man that they desperately need on the other hand the Flyers could be going younger all the way around. As a Flyers fan or outside observer which is the better move? Any thoughts?
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Reputation:99
Level:Superstar
Since:Dec 5, 2006
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I heard this is unlikely to happen because the Sens are likely to lose Redden, so they would really want to keep Meszaros.
But I would like to see Meszaros in a Flyers uni. I would send Umberger for him as I would like to keep Upshall. Campbell would be nice, but you have to be realistic......the chances of the Flyers signing him would not be good and if they did, they'd have to foot a hefty bill.
How likely is it that Hatcher isn't playing next year? I thought the Flyers wanted him on board for next season, but I guess that was before his injuries.
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Reputation:93
Level:All-Star
Since:Aug 21, 2006
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Persaonally I think hatcher is done with a capital D. He is way too slow to be a competant D-man aganist quicker faster teams like the Pens. The Flyers need to move on and discard these older slower d-men that made their careers on the clutch and grab of the pre-lockout era. Additionally, Hatcher is making a hefty 3.5 million which could go a long way if they get a mezaros or even Campbell, etc.
Smith and hatcher have to go in order for this team to get better. They have a nice core of D-men with Coburn, Timmonen and Jones. NOw they have to continue to build in that mold and hatcher and Smith do not fit especially considering their age and injury history. I have heard Smith to NJ and if Hatcher does not retire, which has been discussed, he may be asked to go on long-term injured reserve much like rathje did to free up his salary next season.
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Reputation:99
Level:Superstar
Since:Dec 5, 2006
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Hatcher is the Flyers best penalty killer. He might be a pilon back there, but his toughness, positioning, and leadership make up for that. I thought he had a pretty good season this year. He might go, he might not. Is he getting more money than he should? Probably. But can he contribute to the team? Absolutely.
One of Jason Smith and Derian Hatcher are going to be gone....I think everyone knows that. I love Smith, and I really hope he doesn't go to the Devils. If he were a few years younger, then I would say you'd have to keep him. But he's getting beat up.
I trust Paul Holmgren. He hasn't made a bad move yet.
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Reputation:97
Level:Superstar
Since:Aug 10, 2006
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This story is more than a week old. The outcome will be difficult to predict. Ottawa has not been satisfied with Meszaros's performance this year---bad judgment and up and down play. But he is very young and will develop into a better D-man.
The Senators have recently screwed up their defense roster with the give-up on competing for Chara, and the trade of Corvo, along with the losses last year of two other defensemen to free agency. Phillips and Volchenkov have played hurt.
They need help but they are thinking more about Campbell. Unberger is ok, but Ottawa needs a good solid D-man first, and a forward that should be above Umberger''s abiility, unless he plays like he did in the playoffs against Montreal--no guarantee. The Sens would also want Upshall who has also been named.
Ottawa is in the worse position right now concerning making the right moves. If they don't, the criticism will extend beyond Murray to the crook owner Melnyk. Any trade or signing that doesn't work out will come back like a boomerang a year from now.
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Reputation:93
Level:All-Star
Since:Aug 21, 2006
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I agree with you on Smith. I would only bring him back if he could be had for a million or so. Anything over that and it would be paying too much. I have heard the argument about Hatcher being a penalty killer and I don;t buy it. He is on the ice for far too many goals and does not make the players around him better. He may be a great leader in the locker room, but the Flyers have Richards, Timmonen, and Briere to take that role. Hatcher HAS to go. I can guarantee they will be better without him in all aspects of the game.
As far as Holmgren I think he has passed his first test (year) with flying colors, but it will be more difficult for him now that he has to contend with the salary cap. How he handles this team over the next two seasons will tell you alot. My litmus test for him this year is who he brings in on defense and how much he resigns the RFA Carter, Umberger and JOnes for. Singing these guys for large amounts of money could have big negatives down the line. So far he has hit almost all the right notes, but this off-season will tell us more about Holmgren as a GM than last season. It is always easier to sign guys when you have the money, but this year we will see how crafty he is at this part of the job.
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